Intraoperative Dural Laceration, Postoperative Cerebrospinal Fistula, and Postoperative Pseudomeningocele

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are relatively uncommon following spinal surgery. Laminectomy, discectomy, and corpectomy can all be complicated by postoperative CSF leak. Postoperative leakage may occur along the suture line following intradural procedures or can result from inadvertent intraoperative durotomy. In the cervical spine, the surgical treatment of ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is associated with pseudomeningocele and CSF fistula, with a reported incidence of 4.5-32% (3,24). Midline posterior dural lacerations are readily repaired primarily. However, far-lateral or ventral dural tears are more difficult to repair.